Janet Jackson

Although she was unceremoniously banished from the Pop charts following her notorious “wardrobe malfunction” at the 2004 Super Bowl, it is difficult to deny that Janet Jackson is music royalty. Yet, has her time away from the spotlight made her a relic of the past or is there a chance for her to reclaim her place among the blessed and highly favoured?

With the exception of the rare Nutrisystem ad, the chances of a recent Jackson sighting in the media are even slimmer than finding a Chansey in the Pokemon Safari. Seriously, whenever Jackson surfaces at a major event, the red carpet press has to lure her into interviews that never last more than a few minutes. Yet, despite her current attempts to avoid public attention, the demand for Jackson’s music remains high.

Boasting one of the strongest catalogues in contemporary music – slap yourself if you never heard The Velvet Rope album – Jackson’s early material still receives impressive rotation on radio and television. Even images from old photo shoots continue to circulate across various social media platforms, especial on Tumblr where she easily competes with Rihanna and Beyonce as a user favourite.

So, what does all this drawn out jibber jabber mean? Did I just waste 3 minutes of your time by stating facts that you already know and now you want to hit me with that copy of Ciara’s Basic Instinct your aunt bought you at the dollar store in her failed attempt at being hip?

Think about it: Jackson’s music steadily plays on the radio, her videos are quite popular on television and even young music fans born after her prime know her by name, if not by face alone. Those are indicators that her brand is still relevant to the current music market.

With younger acts, such as Rihanna, Ciara, Beyonce, Kelly Rowland and Britney Spears, eagerly stealing adapting several aspects of Jackson’s style into their own works, they unknowingly maintain her presence in music. As an implication of that nifty fact, ladies and gentlemen, Jackson could theoretically forge a comeback.

To test this little theory, I showed a teenager Rihanna’s video for “Where Have You Been” and after listening to her laud her favourite artist for such an “original” concept – clearly this child was left behind – I introduced her to Jackson’s clip for “Together Again”. Imagine my delight when the young lady changed her tune and asked to see more of Jackson’s work. Today, she is a huge fan of the person she calls “a better version of Rihanna” and I can sleep well at night knowing that I did my part to make the world a better place. Each one, teach one.

Jackson is a visual-driven Po star and her striking video concepts and stage shows make it possible for her to fit in with a generation of young performers who emulate her craft yet fail to match her skill. Indeed, unlike Mariah Carey, who fronts a struggling crop of big-voiced, flowing gown divas, Jackson’s brand of entertainment is still heavily demanded. Ironically, Jackson was the second best-selling act of the 1990s, behind Carey.

Of course, all this talk would be pointless if Jackson doesn’t properly plan her return to the music scene, with a keen focus on timing, radio-friendly material and proper marketing. We all saw what happened with Madonna in 2012 when her less than impressive MDNA album fell off the charts quicker than an artist on the Bad Boy Records roster.

Also, Jackson herself has to want success. At this point in her life, it’s obvious that music isn’t a priority for her and she has lost all interest in that aspect of her career. Perhaps the media backlash she faced following the Super Bowl and her failed stint on Island Records has left her uninterested, particularly since her public image has been so badly damaged and a comeback seems near impossible.

Madonna

On the other hand, Jackson could simply be waiting for the right time to relaunch her music career. As grim as it sounds, the death of her brother Michael helped to change public opinion of her, regardless of how hard Madonna tried to remind us of Jackson’s Super Bowl incident as a way of making her own less than impressive Half-Time Show seem better than just a desperate attempt to fight the effects of ageing.

Hence, it is quite possible for Jackson to score a successful comeback. All she needs is the right timing, music, promotion and the motivation to dominate the charts as she did in the past, and she will be back on top. Jackson is arguably a better entertainer than every young act in the game today and it would be a shame to see all that talent fade away before she gets the chance to cap off an already impressive legacy.

http://thelavalizard.com/...-comeback/

ZERO

Returning to music would not be difficult for Janet. However, I think if or when she does return she should gear her music towards people her age or older instead of teens, kids, pop charts, etc. She will find more success on R&B charts. Alot has occured within the last five years for her personally so there is alot that she can talk about in her music. I would like to see her make another artistic and personal album with Jimmy/Terry.

If singers like Charlie Wilson and Anita Baker can still get hits than so can Janet. I dont think her image is as tarnished as people make it. People have moved on from the Superbowl and if she comes out with the right record she will find success again.

I just think her drive is not there for music anymore (whether its a result of the Superbowl controversy or not) and she seems to be comfortable with where she is at. Madonna may be alot of things but she is very hardworking and she seems to brush her critics off and despite what they think she still does her thing which I have to give her credit for.

Its really unfornate what has happened to Janets (music) career. She is more talented and far more entertaining than all the female performers out today. I was just watching some of her concert footages and nobody out now does not have the same creative intricate choregraphy, threatrics, creative costumes and elaborate staging (besides Madonna of course)

mjscarousal said:

Returning to music would not be difficult for Janet. However, I think if or when she does return she should gear her music towards people her age or older instead of teens, kids, pop charts, etc. She will find more success on R&B charts. Alot has occured within the last five years for her personally so there is alot that she can talk about in her music. I would like to see her make another artistic and personal album with Jimmy/Terry.

If singers like Charlie Wilson and Anita Baker can still get hits than so can Janet. I dont think her image is as tarnished as people make it. People have moved on from the Superbowl and if she comes out with the right record she will find success again.

I just think her drive is not there for music anymore (whether its a result of the Superbowl controversy or not) and she seems to be comfortable with where she is at. Madonna may be alot of things but she is very hardworking and she seems to brush her critics off and despite what they think she still does her thing which I have to give her credit for.

Its really unfornate what has happened to Janets (music) career. She is more talented and far more entertaining than all the female performers out today. I was just watching some of her concert footages and nobody out now does not have the same creative intricate choregraphy, threatrics, creative costumes and elaborate staging (besides Madonna of course)

She can't sing and she's 60 years old.

I think Janet could make a respectable comeback if she recorded some more mature, adult-oriented material. I don't think there's a large enough audience who wants to listen/watch a 47 year old broad dancing and singing club music.

[Edited 3/25/13 17:12pm]

She just sold out w nights at the Gibson a couple years ago, I'm sure she would have the opportunity to make music and do shows if she wanted to.

Maybe she has enough money, has run out of ideas, and now wants to live a nice private life.

She could come back, or she could stay in the shadows.

I wish her the best in any case.

It does make me laugh how people in the outside of the music biz insist "all they really need is to WANT IT. They need MOTIVATION." People do need that, it's true, but it's not the ONLY thing they need. Really, they need the times to be wth them.

The NINTH anniversary of Damita Jo just passed, and that was released after Nipplegate.

It has been FIVE years since she released (and abandoned) the Discipline album, her last album.

These are very challenging facts for a pop singer trying to stage a comeback.

I will always be a fan though.

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[Edited 3/25/13 17:35pm]

One thing the public likes is a good comeback. I think Janet Jackson has the potential to make a damn good comeback. However, at her age, she needs to record some material more suitable for her voice. That one track she did - "Nothing" - was horrible. The lyrics were pure trash and I thought she could've come up with some better material. I think she should get back with Jam and Lewis and just come full circle but with some more adult material. She has nothing to prove by shaking her ass and pulling her ta-tas out at this point, trying to keep up with the Beyonces and Rihannas of the music world. She can do it. I have faith that she can bring it once again.

Rythmn Nation had ver mature adult world view songs

If she did music like that, and more songs, like everyone else has said

mature songs that reflect people in their mid to upper 30s and on she could easily stand out

no more talk of orgasming (nothing to do with age, but repitition)

A sizable comeback is slim – but god I hope I’m wrong.

She needs to do an adult contemporary album and a really good (non Tyler Perry) movie

OVA

Although I would love to hear new songs, I really don't care if she makes another album or not. I would love for to put out one more great one and show everyone that she existed before Beyonce and Rihanna cause I feel like the kids don't know her like the 27 + crowd, but if it's going to be half assed or repetitive, it may not be worth it. I do agree that she would have a lot to sing about since it's been 5 years and from all that took place, so her ignoring that completely would not be genuine on her part and people would pick up on it easily. Something that's like a combination of Velvet Rope's emotions and All For You's energy with an updated sound would be the perfect marriage, and of course, strong vocals the way she brought them with Make Me.

But honestly I do also think she should stick to acting time to time and it's a good age for her to do it, like sitcom appearances and movies, not necessarily Tyler Perry, but at least starting with supportive characters in Hollywood.

janet said she has no plans to relase another full album other than a song here and there. shed like toni braxton is walking away from music and turning more 2 acting. i think when it comes 2 janet anything is possible.her age is not a factor if people can tolerate madonna old ass in lingere then im sure janet can a comeback

Janet's music career is so NOT over. Neither are her acting roles.

She's in a different place now. Married to a seemingly respectable man, the death of Michael was a major blow and her age. Make no mistake, I'm not saying Janet is over the hill, just learning valued life lessons. Clearly it looks great on her!

I think she should do a little housewife type things like cook, clean, travel and make love to her husband. Then, GET BACK IN THE STUDIO WITH JIMMY JAM and TERRY LEWIS. Blow us all away with a hot (mature) album filled with all Janet signatures; Funky dance, sultry ballads and socially conscious songs.

kimberly1 said:

Janet's music career is so NOT over. Neither are her acting roles.

She's in a different place now. Married to a seemingly respectable man, the death of Michael was a major blow and her age. Make no mistake, I'm not saying Janet is over the hill, just learning valued life lessons. Clearly it looks great on her!

I think she should do a little housewife type things like cook, clean, travel and make love to her husband. Then, GET BACK IN THE STUDIO WITH JIMMY JAM and TERRY LEWIS. Blow us all away with a hot (mature) album filled with all Janet signatures; Funky dance, sultry ballads and socially conscious songs.

Fo' SHIZZLE! She's still GOT IT and her beYOND TIRED wardrobe malfunction is complete and utter bull crap. People who act like they've never seen a woman's nipple before are the same fools who see it in even GREATER detail on the BIG screen, so they need 2 let it go and get over themselves. J.J. can STILL deliver the goods and the perfect vehicle would be via Flyte Tyme especially where her career lagged without 'em.

She ain't gone nowhere. Whenever you flip on the radio and hear fun pop and sexy R&B, or watch a music video channel or click on Youtube and see some pop tartlet singing and performing elaborate choreography--whenever Rihanna and Britney go on tour and have elaborate stage shows and pull someone from the audience to dance for--whenever CiCi pops and locks in a video, or Kelly Rowland dons a fedora and a sexy outfit, you're seeing Janet. Her influence is now and will remain all over pop music. She will come back when she's ready, but for now she's enjoying life, newly married, and taking time to "smell the roses" and to enjoy the fruits of her labor--a bit of adviced passed down to her by her late brother Michael (other artists from her generation should take note--it'd be a shame to reach middle age and look back and say, "Well damn, I didn't even get a chance to just stop and enjoy it"). The new chicks can keep taking pages from her book, but there will always only be one...

it could happen, but it would have to be the RIGHT album. another damito jo, 20 YO, or discipline isnt really going to cut it.

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[Edited 3/30/13 4:13am]

In this day and age rebranding is vital to sustaining your career and relevance. Janet has been the queen of rebranding butfor a comback she has to be more serious then ever

She is close to 50 years old and I highly doubt that kids under 16 even know she who she is. Janet needs to stick with the core older audience instead of trying to get teens. She should not attempt to do the over the top dances that she used to do.

Janet is at her best as an artist doing mature songs.